1996 Domaine Michel Colin-Deleger et Fils Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The Batard-Montrachet reveals a super-ripe yet lively nose and an expansive, broad-shouldered, and full-bodied personality. Almond paste, deeply imbedded minerals, stones, white flowers and sweet oak spices are found in this powerful, super-thick, and mouth-coating yet racy and well-balanced wine. I was so struck by this tour-de-force's mouth-feel that I unknowingly wrote the words "super-rich", "unreal richness", "deep richness", and, finally, "RICH!" one after the other in my note pad. This luxurious offering should be at its best between 2002 and 2010. 1996 was a spectacular year for Colin's wines. The bright, bracing, focus-providing acidity that characterizes the vintage married magnificently well with his trademark plump, ripe, rich, and concentrated wine style. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524; Seagram Chateau & Estate Wines Company, New York, NY; tel (212) 572-7725; Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; (212) 757-8185.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
Oily, slightly lactic aromas of charred, smoky oak and pit fruits. Big, thick and sweet; a huge mouthful of wine that's quite chewy yet rather smooth. But doesn't have the finesse or detail of the last few premier crus.